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Dietary supplement

Sarsaparilla Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Pure Herbs

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Sarsaparilla is a dietary supplement by Pure Herbs with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for skin conditions like psoriasis, joint pain and arthritis, general tonic or 'blood purifier'.Based on those ingredients, 2 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Sarsaparilla Root Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Sarsaparilla by Pure Herbs

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This liquid contains one active ingredient: sarsaparilla root extract. Sarsaparilla has been used traditionally, though human research on it as a supplement is limited.

There are no inactive ingredients listed.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Sarsaparilla's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: healthy skin.
  • We looked for evidence on: Psoriasis, Dermatitis, Eczema, Acne.
  • The closest evidence on file: Sarsaparilla is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Psoriasis (Natural Medicines).

The evidence we hold doesn't establish that sarsaparilla works for cancer, psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis—the data falls short of supporting any of these uses. If you're considering it for one of these conditions, talk with your doctor about what the research actually shows and what alternatives might help.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Sarsaparilla

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Sarsaparilla is likely low-risk at typical food amounts, but safety data for supplement doses in humans are limited. The safety data advises against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, so it's best avoided at those times.

Occupational exposure to sarsaparilla root dust can cause rhinitis and asthma symptoms, though that's mainly a workplace concern rather than a consumer issue.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Sarsaparilla

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Sarsaparilla.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: heart-rhythm medications; lithium.
  • For scale: 2 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before you take this, double-check if you're on digoxin (Lanoxin) for your heart or lithium for mood—both have Moderate-severity interactions with sarsaparilla. If you take either, your doctor or pharmacist needs to weigh the risks before you start.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Pure Herbs Sarsaparilla is a single-ingredient liquid extract with a modest interaction profile, but the two drugs it affects—lithium and digoxin—are serious cardiac and psychiatric medications that need careful monitoring. If you take either one, check with your own doctor or pharmacist before starting this product.

Pregnant or breastfeeding? Skip it for now.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Dec 13, 2022.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Sarsaparilla, straight from the product label.

Brand Pure Herbs
Net contents 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 13, 2022
DSLD ID 279222
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Sarsaparilla by Pure Herbs, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 mL
Servings per container
60
IngredientAmount% DV
Sarsaparilla Root Extract1891 mg--

Other ingredients: None

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: For adults, mix 2 mL (abt. 1/2 tsp) of extract in 2 fl. oz (60 mL) water one time daily preferably with a meal.

Shake well before use

Formulation

Promotes general well being. Beneficial for maintaining healthy skin.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Precautions

Warning: Not intended for use by pregnant or nursing women. If you have a medical condition or are taking medication, consult your doctor prior to use.

Discontinue use and consult with your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

Keep out of reach of children

Brand IP Statement(s)

Pure Herbs, Ltd. Natural Herbal Extracts

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General Statements

"No expense has been spared to provide the finest nature has to offer."

See for yourself

Sarsaparilla by Pure Herbs label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Sarsaparilla by Pure Herbs

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Sarsaparilla Root Extract

Interacts with
2 drugs
1891 mg per serving Form: Mexican Sarsaparilla Root Extract

Sarsaparilla is a traditional root used in teas, tonics, and old-fashioned root beer flavoring. Modern evidence for its health claims is very limited...

Sarsaparilla Root Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: None. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Sarsaparilla by Pure Herbs Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Sarsaparilla?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
2Drugs
2 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Sarsaparilla with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Sarsaparilla Root Extract2 drug types · 2 drugs

Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Theoretically, concomitant use of sarsaparilla with digoxin might increase the risk of cardiac toxicity.
Sarsaparilla is thought to have diuretic properties, which could potentially cause potassium loss. Overuse or misuse of sarsaparilla with cardiac glycoside therapy might increase the risk of cardiac toxicity due to potassium loss.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Lithium

Theoretically, sarsaparilla might increase the effects and adverse effects of lithium.
Sarsaparilla is thought to have diuretic properties. Due to these effects, sarsaparilla might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium. The dose of lithium might need to be decreased.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Sarsaparilla, from the product label.

Pure Herbs

See all Pure Herbs products
Name
Pure Herbs, Ltd.
City
Sterling Heights
State
MI
Phone Number
(800) 860-4372
Web Address
www.pureherbs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Sarsaparilla by Pure Herbs: Common Questions

Does Sarsaparilla by Pure Herbs interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Sarsaparilla has a known interaction with 2 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Sarsaparilla contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this while I'm pregnant or nursing?
The safety data advises against it—there isn't enough information to know it's safe either way. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What is sarsaparilla root extract used for?
Traditionally it's been used for several conditions, but the evidence we have doesn't reliably support its use for cancer, psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis yet. If you're thinking of trying it for a specific health concern, ask your doctor what the research actually shows.
Is this safe to use long-term?
Human safety data for supplement doses are limited, so we don't have strong evidence about long-term use. It's likely low-risk at food amounts, but for higher supplement doses, the picture isn't clear. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about your specific situation.
Does sarsaparilla have side effects?
The main side-effect concern documented is from occupational exposure to the root dust, which can trigger rhinitis and asthma symptoms—not a typical concern for someone taking a liquid supplement at home.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Sarsaparilla label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Sarsaparilla's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 3 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Sarsaparilla 3 references
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  3. Vandenplas O, Depelchin S, Toussaint G, et al. Occupational asthma caused by sarsaparilla root dust. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1996;97:1416-8. PubMed

See these in context on the Sarsaparilla monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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